Long Island, NY, WPH Press, 1/31/19-
R48 #16 Stephen Cooney dominated the 2019 Long Island Open, slamming the open brackets. Cooney entered the 38th annual Long Island Open on the heels of a disappointing showing at the 2018 R48 8 Portland, where the Irishman uncharacteristically failed to qualify for one of the first times in his R48 career.
Cooney marched through the Long Island field, never dropping a game in his three singles and two doubles wins. Cooney ousted handball’s Superman, Jurell Bastidas, in both the singles and doubles final.
“I’m still playing terribly,” stated Cooney, still stewing on his Portland flop. “I have a lot of work to do to get back in shape but I will be ready for (R48 8) San Francisco (March 29-31, enter HERE). (Fellow Irishman) Niall O’Connor will be living in New York, so I finally have a training partner in the City. We will also play doubles together at the Nationals and other tournaments.”
Men’s Open Singles Semifinals
Cooney def Sala 21-9, 21-18
Bastidas def T. Bastidas
Men’s Open Singles Final: Cooney def J. Bastidas 21-9, 21-13
Men’s Open Doubles Final: Cooney/O’Connor def Team Bastidas 21-14, 21-16
Former WR48 pro and handball all court star Sandy Ng clinched the women’s open singles, defeating New York City rival Shirley Chen in two close games in the final.
Women’s Open Singles final: Ng def Chen 21-15, 21-15
From the President
“The 2019 Long Island Open went well overall, with a 50% increase in participation,” stated newly appointed ICHA President Cesar Sala. “I’m looking to get over 100 players for next year and I’m going to push for a possible R48 Stop/Women’s Classic event if we can get the support for it so that the east coast junior players can see what top flight play looks like. Cooney was the strongest player at this year’s Long Island Open with Tyree and Jurell showing some rust. The overall play was decent.”
Men’s Open singles trophy pictures courtesy of Stephen Cooney
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David Fink
WPH Senior Writer